Wales vs. Australia: 6 Things We Learned
Australia extended their winning streak against Wales to nine consecutive matches on Saturday after an exhilarating affair at the Millennium Stadium left nothing to be desired.
In a roller-coaster result, the home nation couldn't muster the resources necessary to complete their second-half comeback in Cardiff and fell to their Southern Hemisphere guests 30-26.
However, as is only natural in November, both sides will take a lot from this meeting moving forward, each moving one step further in their development after what was a titanic clash between two of the sport's giants.
1. George North Doesn't Like the Gold and Green
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Having quickly became an icon for the moment he picked up and drove Israel Folau while carrying ball in hand during this summer's British and Irish Lions tour, George North once again came back to hurt the Wallabies on Saturday.
It was thanks to a brilliant piece of individual ingenuity that the 21-year-old put his team 5-0 up inside a minute of play, capitalising upon an Adam Ashley-Cooper hiccup to do so.
Another highlight would come in the 37th minute when, having come in off his wing, North drove into Adam Ashley-Cooper, once again asserting his considerable frame on matters.
The second period proved profitable for the youngster, too, and it was in the 60th minute that North darted into midfield before shunting his way through the Wallabies line and cruising under the posts for a second try.
Considering how successful the winger's Lions tour was and how eager the youngster was to make his presence known this weekend, North doesn't seem to have much love lost for the Australians.
In total, Warren Gatland's starlet made 69 metres off 11 carries and had the hosts come out on top; it could have been him who got the nod for Man-of-the-Match credentials.
2. Big Day for the Wallabies' Oopers
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Three essential figures for their side on Saturday, Quade Cooper, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Michael Hooper all impressed as some of the highlights in the Wallabies win.
It was this trio in particular who teamed up in terrifically synchronised motion for the first Australian try, a Hooper steal in Welsh territory followed up by one terrific offload from Cooper with some fine Ashley-Cooper interlinking in between.
The showcase didn't stop there for the three stars, however, Cooper in particular persisting with his flash moments of sheer brilliance that commentary at one point termed as "un-coachable."
It's a fair comment, too, as the fly-half, winning his 50th cap for the Wallabies at the Millennium Stadium, celebrated the occasion with a super performance—marred by a controversial sin-binning five minutes from full time—but earned Man-of-the-Match honours all the same.
3. The Rise of Toby Faletau Goes On
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Up against the Australian captain figure of Ben Mowen, Toby Faletau had far from an easy task on his hands this weekend but dealt well with the pressure and continued his ascendancy in the international picture.
By halftime, the Tongan-born No. 8 had already registered six tackles, was an essential figure in straightening up the Welsh line-out wherever possible and ranked highly in the running game, carrying for 15 metres in the opening 40 minutes.
Given the maturity with which he so often performs, it's sometimes easy to forget that the youngster is still just 23 years of age and has a lot of his development left to go yet.
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4. Line-out Sets the Two Sides Apart
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An awfully scrappy affair for Wales in the first period came at the line-out, where, through a combination of fine Wallabies work and Welsh waste, it was Cardiff's visitors who were taking control of the set piece.
By halftime, the hosts had lost as many of their own line-outs as they had won and struggled in gaining a foothold, while Ewen McKenzie's side coped far better and had six successful throw-ins to their name going in at the break.
The Welsh line-out improved tremendously in the second half, and Ken Owens came on to give a respectable display in place of Richard Hibbard. Alun-Wyn Jones and Ian Evans upped their game in terms of receiving the throw-in.
Very much a strength of the Welsh game up until now, the line-out dictated a heap of Saturday's possession race and ultimately played a massive role in the result.
5. Israel Folau Staking His Claim as World's Best Fullback
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In 2013, there is perhaps no other player whose stock has risen more quickly than Israel Folau, the rugby league convert who, after being pulled off of the wing, is now thriving in the No. 15 jersey.
At the forefront of his team's attack whenever things are going in their favour, the Waratahs utility has also been a cause for consolation when things have gone against Australia, Saturday being an example of the former.
Fast, physical and with a lot of flair in his arsenal, Folau managed to get on the scoresheet just inside the first half, mopping Mike Phillips out of his way with ease to crash over for an emphatic score that would put his side into the lead for the first time.
The good times didn't stop there, though, and the 24-year-old would go on to race for an astonishing 124 metres with ball in hand, along with two clean line breaks and a try-assist, too.
6. Who Says Kicking Is for Fly-Halves?
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Although conventionally seen as a job for those in the No. 10 jersey, Saturday's encounter between these two rugby giants was a fine example as to why the kicking has opened up inextricably in recent years, with both teams' primary goal kickers coming from elsewhere in the back-line.
Handling their responsibilities from the tee with aplomb, Leigh Halfpenny and Christian Lealiifano, regarded as two of international rugby's most accurate kickers, displayed their talents and held a strong account of themselves in front of goal.
Of course, there's nothing wrong with such a change in the normal dynamic, but it's a testament to how the game's changing to see the pair, fullback and centre, respectively, handle their jobs in such style.
Dan Biggar and Cooper are undoubtedly capable of taking duties on from the tee themselves but were each left as one of those waiting in the background as their fellow backs took care of matters themselves.
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